MADISON, WI…Three important initiatives granting greater protections for victims of abuse authored by Senator André Jacque (New Franken) passed the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety today.
“Protecting every Wisconsin citizen who has been victimized by criminal behavior will always be one of my top priorities, and I am encouraged to see these critical legislative proposals advance,” said Jacque.
Among the bills authored by Senator Jacque passing committee today include:
Increased Penalties for Crimes Against Adults at Risk (Assembly Bill 19) – Legislation authored in partnership with Representative Rob Kreibich (New Richmond) to increase penalties for crimes committed against “adults at risk” passed committee on a strong bipartisan vote of 13-1.
Wisconsin has a longstanding definition of an “adult at risk” which protects persons with a physical or mental disadvantage. AB 19 extends the same protections to at risk adults as those which currently apply to individuals over the age of 60, such as allowing courts to freeze their assets if the victim is threatened with financial exploitation. The legislation also allows for greater prison time for those who victimize at risk adults, increases the severity of certain sexual crimes, and allows adults at risk to remotely participate in court proceedings when seeking a restraining order.
“Victimizing Wisconsin residents with mental or physical disadvantages must never be tolerated, and this legislation strengthens protections for some of the most vulnerable in our society,” said Jacque.
AB 19 has the support of the Alzheimer’s Association and the Wisconsin Nurses Association. The companion bill Senate Bill 15 passed the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety on a 7-1 vote in March.
Sexual Assault Survivor Bill of Rights (Assembly Bill 236) – Along with Assembly author Representative Dave Murphy (Hortonville), this legislation was drafted at the request of the national sexual assault victim rights group RISE. If enacted, Wisconsin would join 20 other states in establishing a bill of rights for sexual assault survivors.
“In 2020, Wisconsin voters overwhelming approved Marsy’s Law, which granted crime victims certain rights which guaranteed that their cases will be quickly and fairly handled,” said Jacque. “To strengthen existing constitutional rights with statutory enforcement mechanisms, AB 236 will require the state to process the kits of sexual assault victims in a timely manner, and keeps victims informed about the status of their kit throughout an investigation.”
If reasonable timelines are not met, sexual assault survivors can petition the Wisconsin Crime Victim Rights Board (CVRB), which has legislative authority to issue sanctions for violations of the statutory or constitutional rights of victims by public officials. The bill passed committee unanimously 14-0 and now moves to the full Assembly for a vote.
Notifying DoD of an Investigation of Child Abuse or Neglect (Assembly Bill 252) – At the request of the Department of Defense (DoD) state liaison office, this legislation was introduced with Representative Robert Brooks (Saukville) to protect victims of domestic abuse or neglect among military family members by requiring county human and social service agencies to immediately bring cases of alleged domestic abuse against a child to the attention of the DoD.
“To support potential domestic abuse victims, it is essential we get information to the appropriate authorities as quickly as possible, to ensure their safety and to give them access to the protection, care and support they need,” said Jacque.
AB 252 unanimously passed the committee 14-0 and now heads to the full Assembly for a vote. The companion bill, Senate Bill 259, passed the Senate unanimously earlier this year.
Senator André Jacque represents Northeast Wisconsin’s First Senate District, consisting of Door, Kewaunee and Calumet Counties and portions of Brown, Calumet, Manitowoc, and Outagamie counties.
